szulfátcsoportot

The szulfátcsoport, also known as the sulfate group, is a polyatomic anion with the chemical formula SO4^2-. It consists of a central sulfur atom covalently bonded to four oxygen atoms. The overall charge of the group is -2, due to the formal charges on the oxygen atoms and the sulfur atom. In organic chemistry, it is often encountered as an ester of sulfuric acid.

Sulfate groups play crucial roles in various chemical and biological processes. In inorganic chemistry, they form salts with many cations, such as sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), calcium sulfate (CaSO4), and barium sulfate (BaSO4). These salts have diverse applications, ranging from detergents and glass manufacturing to construction materials like gypsum. In biology, sulfate is an essential nutrient for many organisms and is a component of important biomolecules like glycosaminoglycans, which are found in connective tissues. It also participates in detoxification processes in the liver. The sulfate functional group can be attached to organic molecules, forming sulfate esters, which are often important intermediates in biological pathways or can act as leaving groups in chemical reactions.